Helping T cells stay in tissues to protect against infections and cancer
Tissue-specific adaptions to promote localized T cell memory
The team is studying how tissue-resident CD8 T cells form and survive so they can better protect people from reinfection and some cancers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11228382 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as someone who might be affected, this work looks at how CD8 T cells change when they stop circulating and take up long-term residence inside specific tissues to guard against future infections. The researchers are examining changes in gene activity and genome accessibility that let these cells adapt to tissue environments, with a special focus on a gene regulator called Hic1 in the small intestine. To do this they use laboratory experiments that include tissue analyses, genetic manipulation, and models that mimic infection to track how resident memory T cells form, survive, and function. The goal is to produce knowledge that could guide vaccines or therapies that boost local immune protection without causing harmful inflammation.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with recurrent or tissue-specific bacterial infections, individuals interested in improving gut or mucosal immunity, or those willing to donate blood or tissue samples for research would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate new treatments are unlikely to benefit directly because this is basic research aimed at informing future therapies rather than providing an immediate clinical intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could lead to vaccines or treatments that strengthen local T cell memory and reduce tissue-specific infections or improve cancer immune responses.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and human studies have shown tissue-resident CD8 T cells can protect against reinfection, and targeting their formation is a promising but still early area of research.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Goldrath, Ananda W — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Goldrath, Ananda W
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.